Global tech outage disrupts travel for RIC passengers

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – A massive computer outage at Microsoft early Friday morning still impacts people nationwide, including Richmond.

Airlines and businesses struggle to recover and get people to their final destinations on time.

As of 5:30 p.m. on July 19, RIC spokesperson Troy Bell said there were 29 cancellations and 12 flights remaining flights delayed.

“I got to the Montgomery, Alabama airport at 4 a.m., the flight was supposed to leave at 5:30 a.m., but it didn’t leave until later,” Brittney Meyer said.

Meyer is one of millions impacted by a global IT outage canceling thousands of flights nationwide.

“I was actually supposed to be here at 10:30 a.m. Now, it’s what? 4:07 p.m.?” Meyer said.

She’s in town to watch her daughter play in the Dixie Belles World Series in Prince George and was one of the lucky ones that didn’t have her flight canceled.

“When we got to Charlotte, we got on the plane, and then we had to turn around, then come back, and then they took us off the plane and come back, so I’m about 4 hours behind, but I’m ready to go!” Meyer said.

According to FlightAware, nationwide, over 2,500 flights were canceled with more than 8,000 delays.

Delta and American Airlines were the two airlines with the most significant impact.

“We’re just here playing soccer, and unfortunately, we lost, so we were supposed to go back to our house and stuff, but it got canceled, and we couldn’t hop on the plane,” Mario Chavez said.

Chavez and his teammates are trying to get back home to California, but their Delta flight was canceled, and now they can’t get on another one until Sunday.

“It’s a little frustrating but also cool because we can spend it all together, but I’m also trying to be home with my family and playing video games,” Chavez said.

The FAA also tweeted that they are working with airlines to closely monitor the global IT issue, which could continue through the weekend.

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